Page 33 of In the Long Run
‘I like her.You should invite her round.’
I’ve thought about it.Too much, really.Along with all the other thoughts I’ve had about her.We’ve spoken to or seen each other every day this week so far and I don’t want to push my luck.Exhaust her offer to help.Overstay my welcome.But those little pockets of time with Gen have been the highlight of my days.
‘Go ask her now.I can finish this stuff for you.’
That’s unlikely.Yeti could burn water.
I snatch the Gravox back and measure two tablespoons into a mug decorated like a strawberry sponge cake.
Yeti grabs the mug back and pushes past me to grab the kettle.‘I mean, fair enough, if you’re not interested.But you should’ve heard the chatter about how hot she is on the bus back to base.’
I frown at him.
‘She seems nice too.’
Yeti’s such a smug shit.I brace myself for whatever’s coming next when his eyebrows creep up his forehead and he clicks his fingers together.
‘And her crazy ex already thinks you’re dating …’
‘So?’I dump too many frozen peas into a microwave container.
The spoon clinks against the ceramic as Yeti stirs.‘So, why not have some fun together?You’re both adults.It could be mutually beneficial.’
‘That’s not happening.’I hit the buttons on the microwave too hard and when I try to close the door, it bounces back open.‘Shut up.’
‘Okay.’Yeti pushes past me and starts getting plates and cutlery out of the cupboards and drawers.It’s a reminder that even though I’ve been back for almost a month, he’s spent more time in this flat than I have this year.Christ, he’s a good mate.Not many other guys would make the effort to catch up with Eugene each week.He glances at me.‘Think I’ll ask her out, then.’He stirs even faster, slopping gravy over the side of the mug.
I throw a kitchen sponge at him.‘I know what you’re doing.’
He grins.‘Good for you, buddy.Want a trophy for being self-aware?’
‘She’s too nice for you,’ I say sullenly.
‘Or maybe’—he pulls a bottle of mineral water out of thefridge and fills a glass for Celeste, who doesn’t drink—‘you’re worried that she’s too nice for you.’
‘Yeti.’
‘Forty.’He mimics my posture, his shoulders slumping, chin dipping towards his chest.‘I know you don’t shit where you eat’— it’s a terrible expression but that doesn’t make it untrue.I don’t hook up with women often, but when I do, it’s never with someone I work with.One thing you realise when you join the Army is that everyone knows everyone, and it’s not called Melrose Base for nothing—‘but you’re on a break from your real life.Live a little.Might make being back here more tolerable.’
Is that what everyone thinks?That I need a distraction to get through my time back in Melbourne?That I can’t hack it?I’m here.I’m trying.I’m shuttling Eugene to appointments.Reading to him each night.Checking in at Alizée’s every day and digitising all their records.Getting to know the suppliers.Picking up all the slack, since Eugene doesn’t seem to want to know what’s going on at the pâtisserie anymore.He’s totally disengaged.I haven’t complained once – I’m happy to be doing it – so why can’t people see that?
‘What’s that number?The one on the right there?’Eugene’s voice cuts through the silence between me and Yeti.
‘Knox went viral.’I look up, and Celeste’s attempt at a poker face falls apart before she’s even finished speaking.She slaps a hand across her mouth, but giggles escape.‘Well, not just Knox.Gen did too.’
I cross the distance between us in three steps instead of the normal five, grabbing the phone Eugene offers me.
The screen is frozen on the shot of Gen and I hugging.She’s looking up at me and I’m smiling at her.We look so happy it makes my whole body ache.I don’t think anyone’s ever looked at me like that before.
I’ve certainly never felt the way I did with anyone else in my arms.
Then I see the text underneath our bodies:Join our run club and score your own stern croissant daddy!
‘Don’t be mad,’ Celeste starts.
‘What the fuck is astern croissant daddy?’I hiss.
‘You are,’ Celeste says nonchalantly.‘And three million people have seen it.’
